Traverse-mechanism for winding machines



June 30, 1931. E. R. SWANSON 1,312,332

I TRAVERSE MECHANISM FOR WINDING MACBINES I Filed NOV- 5, 1925 3Sh68tS-Sh88t l Max:251?

M/fMZXM' June 30, 1931. RLSWANSON TRAVERSE MECHANISM FOR WINDINGMACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 3. 1928 bfm June 30, 1931. E. R.SWANSON TRAVERSE MECHANISM FOR WINDING MACHINES Filed Nov. 3. 1928 3Sheets-Sheet 3 fi erzzbr Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE ERNEST R. SWANSOILOF CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR T UNIVERSALWIND- ING- COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OFMASSACHUSETTS TRAVERSE-MECHANISM FOR WINDING MACHINES Application filedNovember This invention relates to improvements in winding machines forwinding cops, bobbins and packages of yarn, thread or the like, or forproducing coils of wire and other strand l conductor. The presentimprovement is directed particularly tothe traverse-mechanism of themachine for traversing the strand material longitudinally of the axis ofthe core or holder on which it is wound.

In' the followin specification and claims the term package is to beinterpreted in its broad sense as indicating any form: of wound masssuch as a cop, bobbin, cheese or coil and the term strand material asapplying to textile yarns, threads or the like, wire or other conductorand any other attenuated material.

One object of the invention is to provide a traverse-mechanism forwinding machines which is adjustable to var the extent of trav- 99 erseof the strand materia in accordance with the length or shape of the cop,bobbin, package or coil to be produced.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for automaticallyshortening the traverse of the material during the winding to build acop, bobbin, package or coil havlng layers of gradually decreasinglength to form it with tapered or inclined ends.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 30 vide an adjustable camprovided with means for altering the extent of its throw to regulate thelength of traverse of the strandguiding means.

Another object of the invention is to provide meansoperatedautomatically during the winding to adjust the throw of the cam togradually shorten the length of traverse of the strand-guiding means.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the followingspecification which describes a preferred form of construction of theinvention, by way of example only, as illustrated by the accompanyingdrawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a winding machine showing the present improvedtraverse-mechanism as applied to use thereon;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the adjustable traverse-mechanism showing thethread- 3, 1928. Serial No. 316,968.

guide connected to be operated therefrom;

coils extending helically from one end of the 85 cop to the other; and acam for reciprocating the thread-guide. In other cases, however, thecop, bobbin, package or coil may be wound on a positively-rotatedwinding-spindle and different forms of strand-guiding means may beemployed in place of those herein shown and described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the present drawings, the windingmechanism is su ported from a pair of side frames or bracl ets 2, 2which may be mounted on a suitable table or bed 3 shown in Fig. 2. Theframemembers or brackets 2 may be arranged in series along thebed 3 tosupport a plurality of winding units in gang form, as is usual inmachines of the present type, but as all of the units are ofsubstantially identical construc tion only one is herein shown anddescribed.

Journalled in bearings 4 at the bottom ofthe frame-members 2 is ahorizontal driveshaft 5, from which power is derived for driving thevarious elements of the winding mechanism. The power shaft 5 may bedriven from a belt or directly connected to a motor, these connectionsnot being herein shown or described as they form no part of the presentinvention. Fixedly held in bearings 6 on the frame-members 2 is ahorizontal cam-shaft 7, and above and forward of the cam-shaft 7 is anon-rotatable drum-shaft 10 v held in bearings 9.

A gear 11 on the drive-shaft 5 meshes with a larger gear 12 which isfree to turn on the shaft 7 and connected to drive the cam 55 to belater described. The cam-gear 12, in

turn, meshes with an idler pinion 13 which is journalled on a stud 14projecting from the side of the frame-member 2. The idler pinion 13meshes with a gear 15 connected to the drive-roll or drum 20 to rotatethe latter on the shaft 10. It will thus be observe that through thetrain of gearing above described the drive-shaft 5 is caused to rotatethe camgear 12 and rotation is imparted therefrom to the drum 20 throughthe pinion l3 and gear 15. Preferably, the stud 14 .on which the pinion13 is mounted is adjustable in a slot 16 so that differentgears may besubstituted for the gear 15 to change the ratio of speed between the camand the drum to vary the character of the wind. As shown in Fig. 1 thedrum or drive-roll 20 is mounted on the shaft 10 with one of its'hubsabutting a collar 21 secured fast to the shaft by a set-screw 22 andwith the gear 15 suitably secured to its opposite hub and abutting thebearing 9.

In the present embodiment of the invention he machine is illustrated asadapted to wind a cop, bobbin or package of yarn, or a coil of wire,indicated at C in Fig. 3 as being of generally cylindrical form withtapered ends. This type of yarn package may be used as a filling bobbinfor loom shuttles or as a supply for other purposes, and its ends aremade tapered or inclined to prevent the yarn orotlier strand materialfrom slidin or slipping out of place. That is to say, t e layers ofwinding are gradually shortened in length as the cop, bobbin or packageis built up from its core to its outer periphery to give the windingsgreater stability so that the end coils of the outer layers will notfall down or slough ofi' when the package is handled. This type of cop,bobbin or package is usually wound on a small wooden tube or uill Twhich serves as a support'or core or the windings. 1

As herein shown, the tube or quill T is adapted to be held rotatably bymeans of gudgeons 25 inserted into its ends. The gudgeons 25 are in theform of spindles having reduced end-portions or pins 26 adapted forinsertion into bores t at the ends of the tube or quill T. The main orlarger portions of the gudgeons 25 are adapted to be received incircular recesses 28 on the under side of bushings 29. The bushings 29are held in hubs 30 at the ends of the arms 31 of a yokelike frame orsupport 32. The yoke orsupport 32 is pivoted at 33 to adapt its outerends to swing upwardly to allow the tube or quill T to recede from theperiphery of the drum or drive-roll 20 as the layers of winding arebuilt up on the quill.

A pair of flat leaf-springs 85 are fastened at their rearward ends tolugs '36 projecting from the side of extensions 37 on the arms 31 of theyoke 32, being secured in place by screws 38. The forward ends of thesprings 35 underlie the recesses 28 in the bushings 29 to retain thegudgeons 25 therein; the pins 26 on the gudgeons being first insertedinto the bores in the ends of the tube or quill T and then snapped intoplace by pressing them downwardly on the outer ends of the springs 35.The bushings 29 a;e held in place in their hubs 30 by means ofset-screws 39 so that they may be adjusted to align their recesses 28with the axis of the drive-roll or drum 20.

In the present form of construction of the winding mechanism thethread-guide 50 which traverses the strand material on to the tube orquill T is mounted on a carriage 41 whichslides on rails or rods 42 and43 extending parallel with the axis of the driveroll or drum 20 aboveand at the rear thereof. The two rods 42, 43 are supported at their endsin the frame-members 2, see Fig. 1, and the carriage 41 is provided witha hub 44 enclosing one of the rods and a fork 45 straddling the otherrod. The thread-guide 50 is carried at the outer end of an arm 40constructed as a narrow plate or blade and forked at its rearward end tostraddle a lug 46 on the slide 41, to which it is pivoted by means of apin or stud 47. At its forward end the thread-guide arm 40 is suitablyformed to receive and support a porcelain button 50 to adapt the latterto recede from the axis of the cop during the growth in the winding. Thethread-guide 50 is formed with a rounded face adapted to bear againstthe surface ofthe winding and is provided with a suitable slot or groove51, see Fig. 3, through which the strand 3 of thread, yarn or othermaterial feeds. A wire pigtail 52 attached to the back of thethread-guide arm 40 is arranged above the guide 50 to direct the strand3 down through its groove, the tension of the strand drawing through thepigtail tending to maintain the face of the guide constantly bearingagainst the winding.

-ciprocating the guide the present invention contemplates the use of anovel form of cam 55 which is adapted for adjustment to vary the extentof its throw. As shown most clearly in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the cam 55 isof generally cylindrical form provided with a circumferential rim- 56supported by arms 57 radiating from a hub 58 on the shaft 7. The rim 56is provided with a helical groove 59 adapted to engage the sides of abowl or roller 60 connected to the slide 41.

. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the roller 60 is journalled on the end of aplunger-pin 61 which slides in the bore of a tubular stem 62 reachingupwardly from the slide 41. The upper end of the bore of the stem 62 isclosed by a plug 63,'against which is seated a helical spring 64pocketed in the bore and arranged to bear against the end of the plungor61. The spring 64 tends to press the plunger 61 downwardly to maintainthe bowl or roller 60 in the groove 59 of the cam 55 while adapting theroller to rise and fall for a purpose as later explained.

As one form of construction of the present invention the rim 56 of thecam 55 is swivelled to rock on trunnions 66 carried at the ends of thearms 57 on the hub 58, whereby the angular relation of the cam groove 59may be adjusted to alter the length of its throw. As illustrated in Fig.5, the arms 57 are formed at their ends with hubs 67 which are boredradially and threaded to receive the body-portions 68 of the trunnionpins 66. The trunnion pins 66 project beyond the ends of the hubs 67 toenter holes 69 in bosses 70 on the inside of the rim 56. As hereinillustrated the hub 58 of the cam 55 is mounted free to rotate on theshaft 7 and is fast to the ear 12 from which it is driven, the gear 12eing made integral with the hub if preferred. One end of the hub 58abuts the side of the bearing 6 on the frame-member 2 and a collar 71secured to the shaft 7 by a set-screw 72 abuts the opposite end of thehub to hold it from sliding on the shaft.

It will be understood that by rocking or tilting the rim 56 of the cam55 the angular relation of its. groove 59 may be altered to vary theextent of its throw within certain limits. Any suitable means may beemployed for adjusting the angular relation of the cam-rim, and as oneform of construction of the invention the present drawings illus' tratea sleeve adapted to be slid on the camshaft 7 for this purpose. In Fig.4 of the drawings, the sleeve 75 is shown as rotatably mounted on abushing 76 which may be secured in its different positions of adjustmentby means of a set-screw 77. One end of the bushing 76 is flanged at 78to abut the end of the sleeve 7 5 and its opposite end carries a collar79, this arrangement providing for holding the sleeve longitudinally ofthe bushing while adapting it to turn thereon. The set-screw 77 isinserted through the collar 79 to hold the latter in place on thebushing 76 and its end projects through the bushing to bind against thecam-shaft 7 to secure the bushing in its different positions ofadjustment. Projecting from the sleeve 75 is an elbow-shaped arm 80provided with a series of radially disposed holes 81 at its outer end.The holes 81 are adapted to receive a bolt 82 which connects the arm 80with the rim of the cam 55 through means as next described.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 1, 3 and 4,

" the rim 56 of the cam 55 is formed with a boss 83, to which isattached a double-sided arm 84. This latter element may be constructedfrom sheet-metal plates of the form 100 of a cup-shaped member 101.

shown in Figs. 3 and 4, being provided with cars which are attached tothe boss 83 by means of screws 86, see also Fig. 2. The two sides of thearm 84 straddle the sides of the arm 80 on the sleeve 75, see Fig. 5,and are provided with elongated slots 87, shown in Fig. 4, for receivingthe bolt 82 which connects the parts together. It-will thus be seen thatwhen the sleeve 75, shown in Fig. 4, is slid on the shaft 7 its arm 80will act through the arm 84 on the cam-rim 56 to rock the latter. Byadjusting the bolt 82 in the difierent holes 81 the ratio of movementbetween the sleeve 75 and the cam-rim may be varied, it being observedthat with the bolt 82 in the hole nearest the axis of the cam themovement of the sleeve 75 will effect a maximum dis placement of thecam-rim 56; whereas, with the bolt 82 in the outer hole 81 theproportionate movement of the cam-rim under the sliding action of thesleeve 75 will be less. The construction and arrangement of the deviceas shown in Fig. 4 is adapted for use to eflect a fixed adj ustmentofthe cam-rim when it is desired to set the winding machine for producinga cop, bobbin, package or coil of any predetermined length.

As h'ereinbefore noted, the present invention may also be employed onthe winding machine or other apparatus to provide for an automaticchange or adjustment in the len th of the throw of the cam during thewinding operation. \Nhen used for this purpose the means for tilting thecam-rim 56 is arranged as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5 and as nowdescribed. The cam-rim 56 may be rocked or tilted through the means of asliding sleeve on the camshaft 7 which, like the sleeve 7 5 previouslydescribed, is formed with an arm 91 having spaced holes 92 for receivingthe bolt 82 which connects it with the arm 84 on the cam-rim. As shownmost clearly in P ig. 5, the sleeve 90 is constructed with a radialflange 93 formed with a peripheral. groove 94. Seated in the groove 94is a substantially fiat plate or shift-member 95, shown in perspectiveview in Fig. 6. The shift-member 95 is of generally arcuate shape toadapt it to be inserted into the groove 94 in the flange 93 on thesleeve 90 whereby it may be rotated about the axis thereof by means ofan arm 96 projecting at one side. Projecting diametrically from itsopposite ends are two prongs or ears 98 which are bent or twisted toincline them at opposite angles to the plane of the plate 95.

The ears 98 are adapted to engage with inclined slots 99 formed in theoverhanging rim her 101 is provided with a hub 102 held fast on thecam-shaft 7 by means of a set-screw; 103. This construction adapts thecam-plate" or shift-member 95 to be rotated in the groove 94 of theflange 93 to slide the sleeve 90 one way or'the other in an axialdirection along The memthe shaft 7. The sliding movement of the sleeve90 will thereby act to rock the cam-rim 56 through the connectionsbefore described whereby to adjust the angularity of the camrim 56 inthe manner and for the purpose as later explained.

The cam-plate or shifter 95 is turned rotatively of the axis of the camthrou h means connecting it with the swinging rame 32 which, as beforeexplained, is carried upwardly as the cop, bobbin, package or coil beingwound increases in diameter. As shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe drawings, a wire rod or link 105 reaches down from the frame 32 andis bent at right-angles at its lower end to adapt it to hook through ahole 97 at the end of the arm 96 on the cam-plate or shifter 95.Preferably, the end 106 of the wire link 105 is inserted into the boreof a thimble 107 which is riveted through the hole 97 in the arm 96whereby to provide a longer bearing for the connection at this.

point. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the upper end of the link 105 passesthrough ahole in the head of a stud 108 projecting from the side of oneof the arms 31 of the scribed will now be explained.

frame 32, being secured therein by a setscrew 109 which provides for itsadjustment in setting the cam-plate or shifter 95 to obtain the properextent of movement to slide the sleeve to rock the cam-rim 56.

The method of operation of the complete winding mechanism arranged aslast de- To prepare the machine for winding the tube or quill T isapplied to position at the outer end of the swinging frame 32 byinserting the gudgeons 25 in its end bores and seating them in theirhearing recesses 28 in the hubs 29. The strand y of thread, yarn, wireor other material is led from its source of supply, not herein shown,passed through the pigtail 52 and down through the slot or groove 51 inthe thread-guide 50, its end being then attached to the tube T. Theframe 32 is then swung downwardly to place the tube or quill T incontact with the periphery of the drum or drive-roll 20 and the machineis ready to start. The winding operation is started by shifting ahand-lever 110 which controls a clutch 111 on the drive-shaft 5, theseparts not being herein shown or described in detail as they form no partof the present invention. As the clutch 111 is engaged it impartsrotation to the gear 11 to turn the gear 12 to rotate the cam 55, Thegear 12 drives through the pinion l3 and gear 15 to turn the drum ordrive-roll 20 and the frictional contact of the latter with theperiphery of the tube or quill T imparts rotation thereto. The quill Tis thus rotated to wind on the strand y which, leading through thegroove in the thread-guide 50, is caused to be traversed back and forthalong the tube to lay the material in helical turns or coils.

At the start of the winding the cam 55 has its rim 56 held in normalposition as illustrated in Fig. 1, whereby it imparts a maximum extentof throw to the slide 41 which reciprocates the thread-guide 50 carriedon its arm 40. As the strand material is deposited on the tube or quill'I the increase in diameter of the successive overlying layers willcause the tube to recede from the drum or driveroll 20 and the frame 32will therefore be swung upwardly on its pivot 33. As the frame 32 risesin this manner durin the growth in the winding it acts throng the link105 to rotate the cam-plate in the groove 94 of the sleeve 90, turningit in a contra-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. This rotativemotion of the cam-plate or shifter 95 causes its inclined ears 98 toslide in the angular slots '99of the rim 100 on the member 101 which, ashas been previously explained, is held in fixed relation on thenonrotating shaft 7. The engagement of the ears 98 with the inclinedslots 99 is therefore caused to act in the manner of a cam or screw toslide the sleeve 90 to the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5. Thissliding movement of the sleeve 90 acts through its arm 91 in the manneras previously explained to gradually rock the cam-rim 56 to reduce itsinclination or angular pitch whereby the-extent of its throw isshortened. Consequently, as the winding builds up on the tube T thecamrim 56 is rocked to gradually diminish the extent of traverse of thethread-guide 50 reciprocated therefrom so that each layer of windingdeposited on the cop, bobbin, package or coil will be slightly shorterthan the one previously wound.

Fig. 3 shows the cam-rim 56 as tilted to the position which it assumeswhen the cop or bobbin is finally completed and it will be noted thatthe extent of traverse imparted to the thread-guide at this point in thewinding is considerably less than that at the beginning of the package.By thus progressively shortening the length of the traverse of thestrand-traversing means the cop, coil or package is built up with layersof gradually diminishing length so that its ends assume an inclined ortapered contour as shown in Fig. 3, the change in the length of thetraverse being effected automatically during the winding as influencedby the movement of the frame 32.

It has been explaingl/that by adjusting the bolt 82 in the differentholes 92 of the arm 91 the degree of change in the angularity of the cammay be regulated as required. With the bolt 82 in the inner hole themechanism will be caused to operate with a maximum range to produce apronounced taper at the ends of the package; whereas when the bolt is inthe outer hole the leverage will be less on the arm 84 so that theextent of movement of the cam will be diminished to form the ing as thethrow is shortened and vice versa.

It. is. for this reason that the roller 60 is adapted to move upand downunder the sliding action 'of the plunger 61 in the stem 62 on the, slideor carriage 41, with the spring 64 maintaining the roll properl engagedin the groove 59 of the cam. It is urther noted that the bowl orrollerfiO is convexed on its sides or substantially ball-shaped toinsure its engagement with the sides of the groove in all portions ofadjustment of the cam.

It will be observed from the foregoing that my invention provides aparticular simple and ingenious device for regulating the extent oftraverse of the thread-guide or other means for depositing the strandmaterial on the co bobbin, coil or ackage. The device may used to securea xed adjustment of the traversing-means to wind the cop, bobbin, coilor package to any predetermined length withm certain limits, as exlainedin connection with the showing in ig. 4 of the drawings; or it may beemployed with automatically operated mechanism to graduall alter theextent of traverse to build the cop, obbin, coil or package with taperedI ends in accordance with a preferred practice for certain types ofwinding.

The mechanism of the device is sim le in construction, compact in formand e cient in use for the purposes described without danger of theparts becoming deranged or getting out of order.

While the device is herein shown and described by way of example in apreferred form of construction, various changes may be made in thestructure and arrangement of the parts of the mechanism withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, withoutlimiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a winding machine, the combination of a reciprocable thread-guidefor traversing strand-materialto'wind a package, a rotatable cam forreciprocating the thread-guide, and means to adjust the cam to va itsangular'relation with respect to its axis of rotation to alter theextent of its throw.

2. In a winding machine, the combination of means for traversingstrand-material to wind a package, a rotating cam for actuating thetraversing-means, and means automaticall operative during the winding toadjust t e cam to vary its angular relation with respect to its axis ofrotation to alter the extent of its throw.

3. In a winding machine, the combination of means for rotating apackage, a reciprocable thread-guide for traversing strandmaterialtheremi, a rotatable cam for reciproeating the thread-guide, meansconnecting the cam with the thread-guide, and means to ad ust the cam inangular relation with respect to its axis of rotation to vary the extentof reciprocation imparted to the thread-guide.

4. Anadjustable cam for winding machines comprisin a hub having radialarms, a circum ferential rim provided with a substantially helicalcam-face, pivots connecting the rim to the arms on the hub, and meansfor rocking the rim on its pivots to adjust the extent of throw of thecam-face.

5. An adjustable cam for winding machines comprising a circumferentialrim rovided with a substantially helical camace, means for rotativelysupporting the rim to adapt it to rock on an axis crossing its axis ofrotation, and means movable 1o 'tudinally of the axis of rotation toadjust t e rim angularly to vary the extent of throw of the cam-face.

6. An adjustable cam for winding machines comprising a rotatable hub, acircumferential rim having a substantially helical cam-face, means formounting the rim on the hub to adapt it to tilt in angular relation withrespect to 1ts axis of rotation, a slidable sleeve an means connectingthe sleeve to rock the rim to adjust it angularly to vary the extent ofthrow of the cam-face.

7. An adjustable cam for windin machines comprising a circumferentiarim, means for rotatively supporting the rim to adapt it to swivel on anaxis crossing its axis. of rotation, a slidable sleeve, and meansconnecting the sleeve to rock the cam rim to ad- Just it angularly tovary the extent of its throw.

8. In a winding machine, the combination of a shaft, a hub on the shaft,a circumferem tial rim having a substantially helical camface, means formounting the rim concentrically of the hub to ada t it to swivel on anaxis crossing the axis 0 rotation, a sleeve slidable on the shaft, andmeans connecting the sleeve to rock the rim to adjust the angularity ofthe cam-face to vary the extent of its throw.

9. In a winding machine, the combination of means for rotatablysupporting a package, means for traversing strand-material thereon, ahelical cam for actuating the traversingmeans, means for mounting thecam to adapt it to swivel on an axis crossing its axis of rotation, andmeans operated during the growth in diameter of the packa being wound torock the cam to diminish t e extent of its throw to shorten the lengthof the layers of winding.

10. In a winding machine, the combination of means for rotativelysupporting a package, means for traversing strand-material thereon, ahelical cam for actuating the traversing-means, means for adjusting'-the angular relation of the cam with respect "to its axis of rotationto vary the length of its throw, and means actuated from the growth inthe winding to adjust the cam to gradually shorten the length of layersof winding from start to finish of the package.

11. In a. winding machine, the combination of a rotatable driving-drum,means for 'rotatably supporting a package to adapt it to be driven fromthe drum, means to permit the cop-supporting means and the drum torecede one from another during the growth in the winding, means fortraversing strandmaterial on the package, a helical cam for '-actuatingthe traversing-means, means for mounting the cam to adapt it for angularadjustment to vary the extent of its throw, and means movable during theseparation between the cop-supporting means and driving-drum to adjustthe cam to diminish the extent of throw of the traversing-means.

12. In a winding machine, the combina-' tion of means for traversingstrand material to wind a package, a helical cam for actuating thetraversing-means, means for adjusting the angular inclination of the camto vary the extent of throw imparted to the traversing- -means fortraversing strand-material thereon, a cam-rim having a helical cam-facefor reciprocating the traversing-means, means for mounting saidcain-rimto adapt it to rock i on an axis crossing its axis of rotation, a.sleeve connected to rock the cam-rim, a shifter rotatable onthe sleeveand formed with inclined cam-portions, a fixed member having inclinedfaces engaged by the camportions on the shifter, and means operatedconcurrently with the increase in diameter of the winding to turn theshifter to slide the sleeve to rock the cam-rim to shorten the extent ofthrow imparted to the traversingmeans.

14. In a winding machine, the combination of a driving-drum, a movableframe for supporting a package in contact with the drum while adaptingits axis to recede therefrom, means for traversing strand-material onthe package, a helical cam for reciprocating the traversing-means, meansfor mounting the cam to adapt it to be adjusted in angular relation withrespect to its axis of rotation,

signature.

ERNEST R. SWANSON,

means rotatable on the axis of the cam to adjust its rim to shorten theextent of throw imparted to the traversing-means, and means connectingthe movable frame to turn said means as the winding increases indiameter.

15. An-adjustahle traversemechanism for ioo

